Dave Franco & Alison Brie: Lawyer Slams Plagiarism Suit

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Copyright Lawsuit Heats Up: ‘Together’ Team defends Against ‘Better Half’ Claims

Los Angeles, CA – In a developing story, the production team behind the film “Together,” starring Alison Brie and Dave Franco, is vehemently denying claims of copyright infringement. This comes after the producers of the 2023 film “Better Half” filed a lawsuit in May, alleging that “Together” is a blatant copy of their work.

“Together,” which garnered attention at Sundance in January and was acquired by Neon for a reported $17 million, is slated for theatrical release on July 30. The core of the copyright lawsuit centers around the shared premise: a couple mysteriously becomes physically connected.

Defense Claims “Independent Creation”

nicolas Jampol, attorney for the “Together” team, asserted in a May 21 letter to the plaintiffs’ lawyers that the film was independently created. He argued that any similarities between the two films are based on generic ideas not protected under copyright law.”Your client dose not own this concept,” Jampol stated. “neither do our clients. It is indeed an unprotectable idea.”

Jampol further emphasized the distinct differences in the films’ tones and genres. He characterized “Better Half” as a light comedy,while “together” is a supernatural “body horror” thriller. “‘Together’ is the opposite of ‘Better Half’ in

PAA Related Questions

The Allegations: ‘The Homebody’ and the Claim of Copyright Infringement

Actors Dave Franco and Alison Brie are currently embroiled in a legal battle stemming from their party game, ‘The Homebody’. The lawsuit, filed in January 2024, alleges that the game concept was stolen from a game pitch created by game designer, Benjamin Eckstein. eckstein claims he presented his game idea, titled ‘Bunker’, to Franco and Brie’s production company, Ramona Films, in 2018, and that significant similarities exist between ‘Bunker’ and ‘The Homebody’. The core mechanic of both games revolves around players attempting to identify a ‘homebody’ amongst them, a concept Eckstein asserts he originated. This plagiarism lawsuit has garnered significant attention within the board game and entertainment industries.

Key Similarities Cited in the Lawsuit

• Hidden Role Mechanic: Both games feature players secretly assigned roles, including the ‘homebody’.
• deduction & Social Deception: A central element of gameplay in both involves players deducing the identity of the ‘homebody’ through questioning and observation.
• Thematic Focus on Isolation: Both ‘Bunker’ and ‘The Homebody’ center around a scenario where players are isolated and must uncover a hidden threat.

Ramona Films’ Legal Response: A “Frivolous” lawsuit

Ramona Films, the production company founded by Dave Franco, has vehemently denied the allegations. Their legal counsel, led by attorney David grossman, has characterized the lawsuit as “frivolous” and lacking merit. Grossman argues that the core concept of a hidden role game is a common trope in the board game world and is not protectable by copyright. He further contends that any similarities between ‘Bunker’ and ‘The Homebody’ are coincidental and stem from the shared genre conventions of social deduction games. The legal team is reportedly preparing a strong defense, aiming for a dismissal of the case. The defense strategy focuses on demonstrating the lack of originality in Eckstein’s pitch and highlighting the independent development of ‘The Homebody’.

Lawyer’s Statement Highlights

According to court documents, Grossman stated that Eckstein’s pitch was “vague and underdeveloped” and did not contain the specific mechanics and thematic elements that define ‘The Homebody’. He emphasized that the game’s unique features, such as the specific question prompts and the overall aesthetic, were created independently by the ‘the Homebody’ development team. The legal team is also challenging the claim of direct access,arguing that there’s insufficient evidence to prove that Franco and Brie were directly involved in reviewing Eckstein’s pitch.

The Board Game Landscape & Copyright Considerations

The case raises significant questions about copyright law in the context of board game design. While game mechanics themselves are generally not copyrightable, the specific expression of those mechanics – including the rules, artwork, and overall presentation – can be protected. However, establishing copyright infringement requires demonstrating ample similarity and evidence of copying. The board game industry has seen a rise in legal disputes in recent years, as designers seek to protect their intellectual property. This case is being closely watched by game developers and publishers,as it could set a precedent for future copyright claims.

Examples of Similar Board Game Lawsuits

Case	Year	Outcome	Key Issue
Hasbro v. Spin Master	2016	Settled out of court	Patent infringement (guessing games)
Mattel v. MGA Entertainment	2008-2011	Mattel won $309 million	Copyright & Trade secret Theft (Barbie dolls)
Days of Wonder v. Asmodee	2018	Settled out of court	copyright infringement (Ticket to Ride)

Potential Outcomes & Next Steps

Several outcomes are possible in this plagiarism case. A judge could dismiss the lawsuit if Eckstein fails to present sufficient evidence of copying. Alternatively, the case could proceed to trial, where a jury would determine whether copyright infringement occurred. A settlement agreement is also a possibility, where Franco and Brie’s company would pay Eckstein a sum of money in exchange for dropping the lawsuit. The next steps in the legal process include discovery, where both sides will exchange evidence, and perhaps a motion for summary judgment, where the judge could rule on the case without a trial. The timeline for resolution remains uncertain, but the case is expected to continue throughout 2024. the outcome will likely influence future legal challenges within the board game industry.